The Washington Nationals have added 24-year-old rookie shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng to their team. They claimed him from the New York Mets, who had never played him in any official game. Cheng had a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played mainly in the minor leagues last year.
Key Facts
The Washington Nationals claimed Tsung-Che Cheng from the New York Mets.
Tsung-Che Cheng is a 24-year-old rookie shortstop.
The Nationals made room for Cheng by designating pitcher Konnor Pilkington for assignment.
Cheng was previously acquired by the Mets from the Tampa Bay Rays in January 2023.
Cheng did not play any official games for the Mets or Rays.
Cheng played three games for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, going 0-for-7 with three strikeouts.
Officials raided Deutsche Bank offices in Frankfurt and Berlin to investigate possible money laundering activities. The raids aimed to gather more evidence related to past business relationships with foreign companies.
Key Facts
Prosecutors in Frankfurt are investigating Deutsche Bank for possible money laundering.
Raids took place at the bank's offices in Frankfurt and Berlin.
The investigation focuses on Deutsche Bank's past business relationships with foreign companies.
Authorities are working with the Federal Criminal Police Office on this case.
The raids targeted "unknown individuals and employees" of the bank.
Tyson Fury, who was a heavyweight world champion, will fight Arslanbek Makhmudov in April. This will be Fury's comeback fight after his retirement last year. The fight will happen in the UK and will be shown on Netflix.
Key Facts
Tyson Fury announced his comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
The fight is scheduled for April 11 in the UK, but the exact location is not yet decided.
The match will be shown on Netflix.
Tyson Fury retired in January last year after losing to Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury has won 34 fights, with 2 losses and 1 draw, and he is a two-time world champion.
Arslanbek Makhmudov has won 21 out of his 23 fights.
Fury has been training in Thailand for his return to boxing.
A future match between Fury and Anthony Joshua was anticipated, but Joshua's plans are uncertain after a car accident in December.
A new documentary about Melania Trump, set to release on January 30, sold only 13% of available tickets in Palm Beach, Florida, which is near President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. This contrasts with President Trump's earlier statements about strong ticket sales. The film offers a behind-the-scenes look at Melania Trump’s journey to becoming the First Lady.
Key Facts
The Melania Trump documentary will be released on January 30.
In Palm Beach, only 13% of tickets were sold for the opening weekend.
The film runs for 104 minutes and features Melania Trump as an executive producer.
President Trump had previously stated that tickets were selling quickly.
Amazon MGM Studios acquired the film for $40 million.
The documentary will also be available on the Amazon Prime streaming service.
Sales were higher for the opening day with 31% of tickets sold so far.
The film depicts Melania Trump's preparations before Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of 16 people in Minnesota for reportedly assaulting federal law enforcement during protests against President Trump's immigration policies. Among those arrested is Nasra Ahmed, who claims she was detained by ICE earlier in the month and mistreated.
Key Facts
16 individuals were arrested in Minnesota for allegedly assaulting federal law enforcement.
The protests were against President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the arrests via a social media post.
Nasra Ahmed, one of those arrested, previously reported being detained by ICE and described her experience as violent.
Assaulting law enforcement officers is considered a felony and a federal crime in the U.S.
The story is still developing, with potential for more arrests.
The Milwaukee Bucks might trade their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, as the NBA trade deadline nears. The Atlanta Hawks have emerged as a surprise team with a strong offer for Antetokounmpo. The Hawks' offer includes a valuable first-round pick that could greatly benefit the Bucks' rebuilding efforts.
Key Facts
The Milwaukee Bucks are considering trading Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The NBA trade deadline is approaching soon.
The Atlanta Hawks have become a notable contender for acquiring Antetokounmpo.
The Hawks recently traded their former star player, Trae Young.
The Hawks have a valuable first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which could be important for the Bucks.
This draft pick holds the third-best lottery odds, offering a chance to secure top college players.
Other teams like the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Golden State Warriors are also interested in Antetokounmpo.
Aldi plans to open 40 new stores in the UK by 2026 as part of a £370 million investment. This is part of a larger effort to increase its presence across the country and provide affordable food options.
Key Facts
Aldi will open 40 new stores in the UK by 2026.
The expansion is part of a £370 million investment.
New store locations include Southam, Hastings, and Amersham.
Aldi aims to grow from about 1,060 to 1,500 stores in the UK in the long run.
Giles Hurley, Aldi UK and Ireland's chief executive, emphasized the importance of providing affordable food.
This move is part of a larger £1.6 billion investment to open 80 new stores over two years.
Recent store openings included locations in Eastbourne, Fulham Broadway, and Deeside.
Thousands of Cubans participated in a march to honor their national hero, Jose Marti, who played a key role in Cuba's liberation from Spain. During the event, some participants expressed their opposition to any involvement in Cuba by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Thousands of Cubans joined a procession to honor Jose Marti.
Jose Marti is known for helping Cuba gain independence from Spain.
The march took place to pay tribute to Marti's contributions to Cuba.
Some people at the march expressed disapproval of U.S. President Donald Trump's actions regarding Cuba.
They stated that Latin America should not be treated as a territory controlled by the U.S.
The United States has increased its military presence in the Middle East, leading to speculation about a potential strike on Iran. President Trump warned Iran to limit its nuclear program or face more severe actions. New U.S. military deployments include personnel, aircraft, and a carrier strike group.
Key Facts
President Trump warned Iran that more serious actions could follow if no deal is reached on its nuclear program.
The U.S. has recently sent more military aircraft and personnel to the Middle East.
The al-Udeid Airbase in Qatar, the largest American base in the region, has seen new structures built recently.
U.S. aircraft such as F-15 jets and transport planes have been reported arriving in the area.
The U.S. carrier strike group, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, has been sent to the Gulf region.
Britain's military has also increased its presence in the region with Typhoon jets.
The U.S. military is conducting a major exercise called Agile Spartan to demonstrate its combat capabilities in the region.
A man named Anthony Kazmierczak was arrested for spraying an unknown liquid on U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar at a town hall meeting in Minneapolis. He has a history of criminal activity and is known to have supported President Trump online.
Key Facts
Anthony Kazmierczak was arrested for spraying an unknown substance on Representative Ilhan Omar.
The incident occurred at a town hall in Minneapolis.
Kazmierczak used a syringe to spray the liquid.
He has a past conviction for felony auto theft in 1989.
Kazmierczak has faced multiple arrests for driving under the influence.
He has also received many traffic citations.
Court records show he has filed for bankruptcy twice.
Police arrested him on a preliminary charge of third-degree assault.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is considering retirement after 13 NFL seasons. The return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who Kelce has spoken highly of, may influence his decision. Kelce is set to become a free agent and will need a new contract if he continues playing for the Chiefs.
Key Facts
Travis Kelce is thinking about retiring after 13 seasons with the Chiefs.
Kelce will take up to a month to decide on his future.
Eric Bieniemy has returned as the Chiefs' offensive coordinator.
Bieniemy and Kelce have had talks, hinting at Kelce's potential return.
Kelce will enter free agency, needing a new contract for the next season.
Kelce praised Bieniemy and expressed excitement about working with him again.
Kelce had 76 receptions, 851 yards, and five touchdowns last season.
Stephen Fishbach, a known figure from the TV show Survivor, has written a new thriller novel called "Escape!". The book gives a look inside reality TV production, exploring themes of control and the impact of fame from Fishbach's own experiences in reality television.
Key Facts
Stephen Fishbach is a two-time contestant on the reality TV show Survivor.
He has written a debut novel named "Escape!" that examines the reality TV world.
The story focuses on a producer and a contestant, highlighting struggles for control and fame.
Fishbach discussed the addictive nature of reality TV fame and its impact on personal identity.
He has not yet sent a copy of his book to Jeff Probst, the host of Survivor, citing nervousness about his reaction.
Fishbach made sure the book was accurate regarding technical details, updating terms like "discs" to "memory cards" before publishing.
There is speculation about whether Justice Clarence Thomas will retire from the U.S. Supreme Court during President Trump's term. Thomas, the oldest justice, is under scrutiny due to ethics controversies, but he has not indicated plans to retire soon. If he resigns, President Trump would have the opportunity to nominate a replacement, potentially Senator Ted Cruz.
Key Facts
Justice Clarence Thomas is the oldest member of the U.S. Supreme Court.
President Trump mentioned Senator Ted Cruz as a possible nominee for the Supreme Court.
Justices typically retire in their late 70s to early 80s.
Thomas has faced pressure to retire but has shown no public intention to do so.
When Trump started his second term, there was a 67% chance Thomas might resign; it has decreased to 40%.
President Trump opposes the idea of Thomas resigning.
If Republicans maintain their Senate majority, Trump's nominee would need a simple majority to be confirmed.
Senator Cruz is 55, and if chosen, could serve a long term, strengthening the court's conservative leaning.
Ross Davidson, a former singer with the band Spandau Ballet, has been found guilty of rape and attempted rape. He was convicted in a London court for incidents involving two women, one in London and one in Thailand. The jury took over 11 hours to reach their verdict.
Key Facts
Ross Davidson, also known as Ross Wild, was a singer with Spandau Ballet in 2018.
Davidson was found guilty of rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault.
The incidents occurred in London in 2015 and in Thailand in 2019.
Davidson met both women involved in the cases on the dating app Tinder.
He had claimed that all sexual activities were consensual.
The jury at Wood Green Crown Court deliberated for more than 11 hours.
Prosecutor Richard Hearnden described Davidson as having a "darker side" not initially noticed by the women.
Davidson also pleaded guilty to voyeurism for secret filming in 2019.
The Chicago Cubs catcher Reese McGuire has signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. This contract includes an invitation to the Brewers' major league spring training camp, where McGuire will try to earn a backup position.
Key Facts
Reese McGuire, a 30-year-old catcher, played 44 games for the Cubs last year.
He has signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The contract includes an invitation to the Brewers' major league spring training.
McGuire has played in MLB for parts of eight seasons with different teams.
Throughout his career, he has mostly played as a backup catcher.
The Brewers have won three consecutive National League Central titles.
Last year, the Brewers had a 97-65 regular season record.
West Ham has agreed to sell Lucas Paqueta, a Brazilian footballer, to Flamengo for £35.5 million. Paqueta, who joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022, will move to Brazil before the winter transfer deadline.
Key Facts
West Ham is selling Lucas Paqueta to Brazilian team Flamengo for over £35.5 million.
Paqueta is allowed to travel to Brazil to finalize the deal before the February 2 deadline.
West Ham considered keeping Paqueta on loan until the end of the season.
Flamengo wanted to complete the move quickly, with their season starting in March.
Paqueta joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022.
West Ham has won their last three matches without Paqueta.
The team is currently 18th in the Premier League, five points from safety.
Joe Brady decided to stay with the Buffalo Bills and became their head coach, even though he had other job offers from NFL teams. Brady was previously considered for positions with the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos. He was promoted within the Bills organization, partly to keep quarterback Josh Allen happy.
Key Facts
Joe Brady is the new head coach of the Buffalo Bills.
Brady was offered positions with the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos before accepting the Bills’ offer.
Brady helped lead LSU to a National Championship in 2019 as a passing game coordinator.
He previously worked as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers.
He joined the Buffalo Bills as a quarterbacks coach and was later made their offensive coordinator.
The Bills decided to promote Brady after firing former head coach Sean McDermott.
Quarterback Josh Allen was involved in the decision to hire Brady as head coach.
Bills players have expressed support and respect for Brady as a leader and coach.
Michael Strahan and other NFL figures expressed disappointment that Bill Belichick was not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. Despite his achievements, including six Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots and two with the New York Giants, Belichick did not receive enough votes. Some critics believe the voting process may be flawed.
Key Facts
Bill Belichick was not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot.
Belichick has won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.
He also won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants as a defensive coordinator.
Michael Strahan, among others, criticized the Hall of Fame voting process.
Strahan himself was not a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee despite his achievements.
Some suggest Belichick’s absence from the Hall of Fame is due to past "cheating scandals."
Belichick has a total of 333 wins, second only to coach Don Shula.
Belichick will be eligible for future Hall of Fame inductions.
The Super Bowl 60 will take place on February 8, featuring the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks. NFL legend Jerry Rice predicts the Seattle Seahawks will win. The game will be held at Levi's Stadium in San Francisco.
Key Facts
Super Bowl 60 is scheduled for February 8.
The game will be between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.
Levi's Stadium in San Francisco will host the Super Bowl.
Jerry Rice, a former NFL star, predicts the Seahawks will win.
The Seahawks are currently favored by 4.5 points according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Jerry Rice has won three Super Bowls and is in the NFL Hall of Fame.
The Seattle Seahawks won their only Super Bowl in 2014.
The Patriots are aiming for their seventh Super Bowl win.
The Chicago Cubs have signed pitcher Trent Thornton to a minor-league deal. Thornton, a veteran who played for the Mariners and Blue Jays, will compete for a bullpen spot in spring training. He joins other new and returning players in the Cubs' efforts to strengthen their team.
Key Facts
The Cubs signed Trent Thornton to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Thornton played seven years in Major League Baseball (MLB) and was a middle reliever for the Mariners last season.
He sustained a torn Achilles injury in July 2023 but has been practicing and hopes to be ready for the new season.
Thornton has a career ERA of 4.38, which measures his effectiveness as a pitcher, with 379 strikeouts across 401 innings.
Other new pitchers joining the Cubs include Charlie Barnes, Corbin Martin, Jeff Brigham, and Collin Snider.
Veteran pitchers Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Jacob Webb, and Hoby Milner have also joined the Cubs.
Caleb Thielbar, a left-handed pitcher, is returning to the Cubs for the 2024 season.
The Cubs lost two key pitchers from last season: Andrew Kittredge and Drew Pomeranz.
